‘We’re not remotely prepared’: Labour MPs fear party has gone soft on climate crisis

Polls suggest growing scepticism around net zero, with politicians uncertain how to proceed Britain has experienced a summer of record-breaking wildfires, deadly heat and drought, with almost 2,900 heat-associated deaths recorded in England during May and June alone. Homes have been destroyed by fires in the West Midlands, and deadly wildfires have swept across Europe. Despite the ever more visible impacts of the climate crisis, there is widespread concern that there has been no big political push at the centre of British politics or a renewed case for net zero. Some Labour MPs believe the government’s caution is a huge mistake. One said the the approach was “a failure to recognise where our vote is”. Jeevun Sandher, the Labour MP for Loughborough and a parliamentary private secretary in the energy department, argues climate is an electoral dividing line Labour should embrace because the party’s voters remain strongly supportive of net zero, even though support has dropped on the right. “Climate is a fight that fires up our base, persuades the middle and splits our opponents,” he said, arguing Labour should combine a climate message with an affordability offer. Another